After Decades of Brownface, South Asians Fight for Better Representation

South Asian Americans are expanding on the success of their immigrant parents, creating a blended cultural identity—and turning the tables on old stereotypes. In recent movies and on television, there’s been an increase in diversity and representation, but it wasn’t always like that. This short video explores how we got from white people in brownface to authentic storytelling and also examines stereotypes that still linger on.

Read the full story, “Building a New American Dream,” featured in the September 2018 issue of National Geographic.

This story is part of Diversity in America, a National Geographic series covering racial, ethnic, and religious groups and examining their changing roles in 21st-century life. Tell us your story with #IDefineMe.

After Decades of Brownface, South Asians Fight for Better Representation

South Asian Americans are expanding on the success of their immigrant parents, creating a blended cultural identity—and turning the tables on old stereotypes. In recent movies and on television, there’s been an increase in diversity and representation, but it wasn’t always like that. This short video explores how we got from white people in brownface to authentic storytelling and also examines stereotypes that still linger on.

Read the full story, “Building a New American Dream,” featured in the September 2018 issue of National Geographic.

This story is part of Diversity in America, a National Geographic series covering racial, ethnic, and religious groups and examining their changing roles in 21st-century life. Tell us your story with #IDefineMe.